Project Overview

Industries that have been in existence since before the 1990s have undergone various technological advancements in order to keep up with the times. In the restaurant industry, orders can now be placed through mobile applications, while the literature industry has transitioned from paper-based books to digital formats such as PDFs. Similarly, podcasts have replaced traditional radio, and online platforms now offer individuals the opportunity to trade stocks without the need of brokers. Each time an existing industry undergoes technological updates, there is a chance for lucrative financial gains. The companies that are able to implement such updates are those that aim to enhance an already established product or service, rather than introduce something entirely novel.

In my quest to identify an industry that is overdue for a technological update, I turned my attention to my personal interests in engineering. My moments of contemplation often occur during exercise, particularly when surrounded by cables, pulleys, and weights at the gym. It was during these times that I pondered the possibilities of introducing an update to the gym industry.

Despite the widespread use of gyms since their emergence in America during the 1940s, the industry has undergone few significant changes since the 1970s, when electric motors underwent advancements that made treadmills quieter and smoother. Although machines such as treadmills have advanced since then, gyms as a whole have remained relatively unchanged. The reason for this lies in the conventional business model that most gyms still follow today. For these gyms, the primary strategies for maximizing profits are to increase membership and decrease costs. As a result, gym equipment is often purchased at minimal cost, with the aim of finding equipment that is reliable and requires minimal maintenance. Consequently, it makes little sense to stray from this low-cost strategy. However, introducing a new business model would make technological and strategic updates more feasible.

Project Conclusions

The primary objective of the first phase of this study was to achieve a constant torque output, which was successfully accomplished. This success demonstrates that an electric motor may serve as a viable substitute for traditional weights. The torque waveforms of the motor were found to be consistent across a range of weights, including those exceeding 300 pounds. As a consequence of this achievement, a constant current was observed, implying that performance could be monitored by simply observing current.

However, it is important to note that the model used in this study has several simplifying assumptions that may not fully represent the real-world system. Moreover, the study did not take into account energy consumption or production, which should be taken into consideration in future studies.

Moving forward, the next phase of this study will involve the planning and development of a prototype, which will serve as a tool for identifying system weaknesses, overall costs, and design objectives. It is essential to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the costs associated with initial construction and long-term energy consumption. The model used in this study will be refined with realistic motor parameters, and equipped with sensors to determine operator perseverance.

The successful completion of this phase could mark a significant step towards achieving a sustainable business model. Subsequent phases would entail designing facility systems, creating an aesthetic model, attracting investors, and ultimately constructing the system on a large scale.